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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what is Jakob afraid concerning Michaela?

2. Who visits Ben before he is five?

3. What time does the painted clock at Treblinka station always read?

4. What stories does Ben tell Petra?

5. How does Jakob feel in Greece?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the parable of the rabbi traveling incognito and what is the moral of the parable?

2. How does Ben's relationship with Petra evolve?

3. How does Jakob "win" Naomi's heart?

4. How does being in Jakob's house affect Ben?

5. What does Jakob think about concerning a child?

6. How does Jakob relate a theory by Einstein to the Holocaust?

7. What theme does Ben incorporate into his thesis?

8. How does Ben find Jakob's study?

9. What are some facets to Naomi?

10. How does Ben's father escape a Nazi camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Athos and Jakob. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ben and Jakob. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Compare/contrast the characters of Michaela and Naomi. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

4. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Fugitive Pieces help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

"Fugitive Pieces" belongs to the historical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a historical novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Fugitive Pieces" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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